Join us in the Project 345 reading plan as we read through the New Testament.

Context:  John the Baptist is rebuking the Pharisees and Sadducees by saying, “You brood of Vipers!  Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?…

Matthew 3:8 “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.”

Observation:  John commands the Pharisees and Sadducees to bear fruit that shows a true repentant heart.

Application:  Galatians 5 tells us that spiritual fruit is the overflow of walking with the Spirit.  I want to pray for the Spirit to lead my life today and to look for ways that I can consciously repent through the strength He gives.

Can you see fruit in your life in the past week that would keep with repentance?

Join us in the Project 345 reading plan as we read through the New Testament.

Context:  Matthew 2:19b-20 “…(A)n angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”

Matthew 2:21 “So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.”

Observation:  The command was “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel.”  Joseph’s immediate response was complete obedience.  “He got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.”

Application:  Lord, I want to completely and instantly obey anything You lead me to do today.

Are you living a life of instant and complete obedience?

Join us in the Project 345 reading plan as we read through the New Testament.

Context: Paul has just listed how much suffering he has gone through for the sake of Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:30 “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.”

Observation: Paul points out the weaknesses in himself.

Application: I want to show others my weakness as a man, friend, parent, husband, leader, teacher, etc.  I want God’s power, not mine, to be seen.

Are you trying to cover your weaknesses and boast in your strengths? In what areas?

Join us in the Project 345 reading plan as we read through the New Testament.

Context: Paul is talking about cheerful giving – those who sow sparingly, reluctantly and under compulsion versus those who sow bountifully, what they have decided in his heart and cheerfully.

2 Corinthians 9:8 – “And God is able to make all grace about to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times you may about in every good work.”

Observations:

• My good works are not about my ability but God’s ability.
• Verse 9:10 goes on to say – “He who supplies seed… will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness…”

Application: I must not trust my own abilities or resources, but decide in my heart to freely and cheerfully give to God.  He will supply all sufficiency in all things at all times.

Are you a cheerful giver?

Join us in the Project 345 reading plan as we read through the New Testament.

Context: Paul is expressing how the life transformation in the church in Corinth has brought him joy.  His first letter caused them grief that led to repentance.

2 Corinthians 7:10 “For Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.”

Observations:

• Godly grief (seeking to please God) produces repentance.
• Worldly grief (seeking to please the world) produces death.

Application: “Lord, I want to focus on your response to my life.  Before you, I am grieved by my sinful heart.  Today I want to consider your response to everything I think, say and do.  Thank you for taking care of the penalty and power of sin through Jesus.  Your unconditional love compels me to be transformed.”

Is your life motivated by Godly grief or worldly grief? 

Join us in the Project 345 reading plan as we read through the New Testament.

Personal Context: Last night, Rebecca and I prayed for a renewed boldness and confidence in our ministry.

Scriptural Context: Paul says that he does not need a letter of recommendation to preach the gospel.  Paul argues that the life transformation that has taken place in the hearts of those in the church in Corinth proves his message.

2 Corinthians 3:4-6 “Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

Observations:

• We have confidence through Christ before God.
• We are not competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves.
• Our competence comes from God.

Application: Through God’s Word this morning and Rebecca, my prayer from last night has been directly answered.  I enter today encouraged.  I want to look for opportunities “not to claim anything for (myself)”, but to confidently minister with the competence God has given me through Christ.

What is your source of confidence and competence today?

Join us in the Project 345 reading plan as we read through the New Testament.

Context:  Paul explains that prophesy benefits the church because it is understood and clear.  Someone who speaks in tongues needs an interpreter to benefit the body.  He tells communicators in the church to “speak intelligible words with (their) tongue.”

1 Corinthians 14:8 “Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?”

Observations: It is important for teachers in the church to be clear.  The body should be able to listen and respond.

Application: I am teaching at PCBC’s youth camp today.  I must relentlessly pursue clarity.  Prayer: Lord, help me sound a clear call so our youth will get ready for battle!

Are you sounding a clear call in your church, your community, your office, your school, your home, etc.?